Born in Iraq in 1956, Shmoil grew up in a family of Assyrian Christians and was constantly moving from place to place due to persecution and struggle.
Despite excelling in school and later in the army, Shmoil faced constant discrimination.
“I was always first in my class or my unit, but being a Christian meant I was never truly accepted.”
A life of persecution and struggle
Life continued to pose challenges for Shmoil, with a key turning point occurring in 2002 when Shmoil’s eldest son was conscripted into Saddam Hussein’s army.
“I sold our home for a fraction of its worth to secure my son’s release. In 2003, we fled to Syria, but our troubles were far from over.”
After returning to Baghdad shortly afterwards, the family moved to his wife’s village in Tel Kaif and later to Barqolah. They survived by farming and making a living off the land, despite having very little experience.
With the situation worsening, Shmoil knew they needed to leave Iraq for good in 2009. They fled to Lebanon, registered as refugees with the United Nations, and hoped for a new start in Australia.
A decade’s long journey to Australia
Arriving in Australia in 2019 – after more than 10 years fighting for the right to a better life, Shmoil faced new challenges.
“Despite knowing English, finding a job was hard,” he explains. “For six months, we lived on Centrelink payments.” Yet, there was a sense of freedom and safety that they hadn’t experienced before. “We were free from persecution, free to live without fear,” he says.
Through WISE Employment’s Restart Program, Shmoil found not just a job, but also a community. The Restart Program offers free support to mature workers aged 50 and over who have a disability, injury, or illness, providing them with training and ongoing assistance.
“David and the team at WISE made us feel like family,” he says. “They helped me with everything from glasses to finding suitable work.” Despite his age and health issues, Shmoil’s determination never wavered. “David found me a job as a school crossing supervisor,” he says proudly. “It’s not just a job; it’s a way to stay active and feel valued.”
David Thai, Shmoil’s employment partner at WISE, was full of praise for his newfound friend. “Shmoil’s story is a powerful reminder of the resilience and potential that many refugees and older Australians bring to our communities. Thanks to the Restart Program, we were able to support Shmoil in finding meaningful work. It’s been a privilege to help him and his family find a new place they can call home.”
Shmoil’s story is also a plea for societal change. “Many older people and refugees are ready to work, but they’re often overlooked because of their age or background,” he says. “We have experience and energy. We don’t want to sit and wait to die; we want to contribute.”
“I want to work until my last day,” he says. “We are not just surviving; we are thriving, thanks to the support and opportunities we’ve been given by David and the team at WISE Employment.”
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